Anzhi – Tottenham 03.10.2013

This match will be their first mutual game in a European competition.

Anzhi participated last season in UEFA Europa League and played with English opponents. They won 1:0 against Liverpool in the group stage, but were eliminated by another English team, Newcastle. Tottenham reached the quarter finals in the last season and lost to Swiss side Basel after penalty series. Anzhi opened their first round in this season with a 0:0 draw away with Moldavian side Sheriff, while Tottenham won 3:0 against Norwegian side Tromso at White Hart Lane.

Anzhi have played in weak form in their domestic division this season. They are still without a victory, at the bottom of the table with only six points from 11 matches. During summer transfer period the best striker Samuel Eto’o (9 goals last season in European matches) left the club and joined Chelsea. Also the midfielders Willian and Yuri Zhirkov left the club. Their leaving for sure has influence on the weak performances. The club also had financial problems in last period.

Tottenham are continuing with great results in the Premier League. In the last round they shared the points with Chelsea, so with only one defeat in the six round they are on the third position. They also won 4:0 against Aston Villa in the Cup match.

Roberto Soldado is still sidelined, so Jermain Defoe is expected to replace him. Defoe is in great scoring form. He has scored 4 times in Tottenham’s previous two UEFA Europa League matches and will be looking to score in Russia too. The midfielders Etienne Capoue and Aaron Lennon are definitely out, while the defenders Younes Kaboul and Danny Rose are both doubtful. Striker Emmanuel Adebayor is doubtful for this match.

Tottenham are in good form this season, both in Peremier League and in UEFA Europa League. They are favorites on this match and I expect to secure the victory.